Hotel Room, 12th Floor: Overview
Hotel Room, 12th Floor: Overview
Overview of ‘Hotel Room, 12th Floor’
The Poem ‘Hotel Room, 12th Floor’
- ‘Hotel Room, 12th Floor’ is a stimulating piece by Norman MacCaig where he marks out the contrasts between the picturesque, postcard-perfect side of New York and its dark, violent side.
- The poem takes the perspective of an observer situated, as per the title, in a hotel room on the 12th floor, looking out onto the cityscape of Manhattan.
Setting and Context
- Set in New York City, MacCaig uses imagery drawn from the city’s vibrant life and diverse culture.
- MacCaig was inspired to write this poem after a visit to New York.
- The poet subtly draws a correlation between the contemporary violence of the city and the history of violence in the American Wild West.
Common Themes
- Themes woven into ‘Hotel Room, 12th Floor’ include violence, isolation, law and order vs chaos, as well as the perception of reality vs the actual reality.
- MacCaig tackles the contradiction between the surface glamour of the city and its undercurrent of brutality.
- He engages with the universal theme of urbanisation and its impact on the human psyche.
Understanding MacCaig’s Style
- MacCaig’s style in this poem involves a varied structure, incorporating both free verse and regular beats - anaphora is used heavily.
- He skilfully uses imagery and symbolism to convey his perceptions and feelings about the city.
- MacCaig’s language is rich and descriptive, integrating metaphor, simile and personification to heighten the impact of the portrayal of New York.
Summary
- ‘Hotel Room, 12th Floor’ ensuingly presents a rather complex vision of urban life, where the glittering façade hides a darker, more chaotic reality.
- This exploration of contrasts alerts us to the multi-faceted nature of a city like New York, and allows us to ponder on the perhaps universal effects of urbanisation.